On that thread, they were talking about finding someone to provide a translation and to look around Erebor - so I did, particularly in the new interior. I eventually found the Scholar's Abode, where a named NPC (so therefore going to be used in a quest!) talks about the importance of not letting a language die out. This map is currently a work in progress, and as such, all visuals are non-final, and using developer textures. This map is based on the dwarven city of Erebor from The Hobbit book and films. This map is intended to be entirely interior, but with large open and grand walkways, and only small sections of cramped rooms to keep the map flowing. In the future I am planning to redo Erebor, according to the PJs ideas. However, I need to wait a bit for that, because I want to see if there is a detailed map of Erebor's interior. Such kind of a map exist for Moria, which can be found on internet.
Lotro Erebor
During the third beta for U23, when I was exploring Jarnfast, I found three doors, one after the other, which eventually opened up to show a cavern, with some stones in a circle and some nameless-esque objects in the middle (reminded me of the Dark Delvings).
When playing through the zone, I realised that these doors would no longer open when I clicked on them, so I assumed that they were barred until a particular point in the quest line - but I've finished the quest line (other than Reclaiming the Grey) and this was not mentioned at all.
However, (and here are the spoilers), the epic book did include a similar room (although more Sauron-esque, less nameless) within Khil's house in Jarnfast, pretty close to the room I'd found during beta.
In addition to this, I spotted on another thread that a dwarf-carved stone has popped up near the Old Side Door on the flank of Erebor. On that thread, they were talking about finding someone to provide a translation and to look around Erebor - so I did, particularly in the new interior. I eventually found the Scholar's Abode, where a named NPC (so therefore going to be used in a quest!) talks about the importance of not letting a language die out. In addition, if you wind your way up a semi-hidden staircase within Erebor, you reach an overlook over the living quarters, which seems to me to be an excellent candidate for the interior-side of the old side door!
So therefore, my questions are these:
1) Is there any content already in the game (e.g. a quest) which we can take part in now, or is this preparing/teasing for a special event or a later update?
2) Should the door in Jarnfast open when I try to click on it, or is this a bug?
I look forward to hearing either from players who have solved the mystery, or from the dev (was it MoL?) who set these things up - but if the answer for all is just wait and see, it will come in a future update, that's fine too!